Electric furnace.



PATBNTBD MAY 5, 1903.

No. 726,860. J. M. GARRER.

ELECTRIC FURNAGE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22| 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

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No. 726,860. PATENTED MAY 5, 1903. J. M. GARRER.

ELECTRIC FURNACB.

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No. P726,860.

UNITED STATES Patented May 5, 1903.

PATENT OEEICE.

' ELECTRIC FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,860, dated May 5,1903. Application filed May 22.1902. Serial No. 108.474. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPH M. CARRERE, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Brighton, in the Yborough of Richmond, city and State ofNew York, have invented an Improvement in Electric Furnaces, of whichthe following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to an electric furnace adapted for the passagetherethrough and treatment in transit therein of various materals-suchas ores, cement, rock, or earth, and the like-for the reduction,melting, or other action thereon by the heat produced by an electriccurrent, with the object of reducing the time consumed in the treatment,increasing the output of the furnace and the quality of the productproduced, and successfully treating substances which have heretoforebeen worked with difficulty. c

In carrying out my invention I provide a revoluble cylinder lined'with amaterialof low electric conductivity, such as graphite brick, which isinsulated from the metal shell of the cylinder. The axial orifice ofthecylinder may be of any desired diameter, Aand said cylinder ispreferably suitably -mounted for rotation at an inclination. Fixed capends are provided to the cylinder on suitable bases and supports. Thesecap ends are also lined with a material of low electric conductivity,which is also preferablyinsulated from the metal forming the said capends. There is an orifice in the cap end at the higher end of thecylinder for the admission of material to be electrically treated, andthere is an orilice in the cap end at the'lower end of the cylinder forthe discharge of said material after treatment. Suitable means are'provided which are supported by and extend through the cap ends and intothe interior of the revoluble cylinder for utilizing the electric energyeither in the form of an electric arc or for bringing the surface of thelining of the cylinder to an intense heat or incandescence, and to thesedevices outside of' the cap ends the lead-wires for the electric currentare connected.

Inthe drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section embodying myimproved furnace. Fig. 2 is a transverse section at the line r a: ofFig. l. Fig. 3 is a transverse section at the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4is also a transverse section at the line or fr", Fig. l; and Fig. 5 isan elevation in larger size of the revoluble bearings.

d represents a cylinder, which is preferably madeof steel. The cylindera is provided with a lining b, which maybe composed of graphite bricksor any suitable substance of low electric conductivity, whose electricconductivity increases as the temperature of the substance rises.Thelining ofgraphite brick b is insulated from the steel cylinder a by alayer of asbestos c or other insulating and non heat conductingmaterial. The axial orifice of the cylinder may be of any desired size,and the cylinder is mounted so as t0 be revolved at an inclination, toaccomplish which I provide rings d, which pass around the cylinder andare separated therefrom by Y the washers 2, leaving a space between theinside of the rings d and the outside of the steelV cylinder. Both thesaid cylinder and rings'are preferably made in two parts, and the partsof the cylinder may be strengthened by angle-irons l,which extend alongand are preferablyriveted to the longitudinal edges of the said cylinderparts. In building up the-cylinder the several shell parts thereof areplaced in the respective parts of the rings d, and these ring parts aresecured together at their overlapping ends by the screws 4 andthereafter to the cylinder by means of the screws 3, which pass from theinside of the cylinder parts through the Vwashers 2 and into the ringsCZ. The strengthening angle-irons l may then be applied and secured inplace. The asbestos and the graphite-brick lining are next secured inplace. I provide suitable bearings e, having rollers 5, on which theperipheral edges of the rings d rest and the cylinder revolves. One sideof each of the said bearings is also provided with a conical roller 7,mounted upon a pin 6 in the frame, ,and the inclination of the said pins6 inthe bearing-frames is such that the angle between the faces of theconical rollers 7 and the rollers 5 is ninety degrees, thereby providingan even bearing-surface for the down side of the rings d,and which actsas a means for keeping the cylinder in a determined fixed position. Thebearings e are fixed in a suitable inclined base 8, which latter isbuilt into or secured to the founda- IOO tion 9. Any suitable means maybe provided for revolving the cylinder-as, for instance, as shown in thedrawings, a pulley 10 may be secured to the cylinder and a rope er beltcaused to pass around the same.

I provide cap ends f and f for the cylinder a, said cap ends preferablybeing drum shape and provided with a lining of graphite g or othersubstance of low electric conductivity, y

which is insulated from the metal forming the cap ends by a layer ofasbestos h or other suitable substance. The cap ends are so placed uponsuitable supports 11 and bases 12 and 13, respectively, that the ends ofthe revoluble cylinder extend between and pass into the said cap ends.The higher cap end f is provided with an opening 14, extending from thetop of the cap end and communicating, preferably at an inclination, withthe interior axial aperture of the cap end f and with that of thecylinder a, which apertures should agree, and a supply-pipe t' for thematerial to be treated is connected to the opening 14E. The lower capend f has an axial aperture agreeing with that of the cylinder a., andthe same is provided with an opening 15, extending from the under sideand communicating with the said aperture and interior of the cylinder,and to which opening 15 the discharge-pipe 7 is connected. The opening15 and pipe 7c are of enlarged area to prevent clogging. The cap endsare provided with contacts Zin such a manner that said contacts malleelectrical contact With the graphite lining of the cylinder. Electricalconductors 16 pass through bushings 17 in the cap endsfand f' and areconnected electrically with the said contacts l. By these connections anelectric current may be passed through the graphite lining of thecylinder as the same revolves, and the surface of the lining therebymaybe heated to incandescence or to any desired temperature. I alsoemploy carbons m and n, passing through the bushings 18, which arepreferably located in the center of the respective cap endsfandf, andthe carbons are provided with terminals 19 20, to which the leads 21 and22 are brought from the source of electrical energy. The carbons arelongitudinally movable in the bushings 1S, whereby' the arc producedbetween them may be established and adjusted to any desired point Withinthe cylinder, and consequently a maximum heat attained at this point.

It is apparent that the furnace is equally applicable to be used as astationary or rotary furnace and that the axial line of the cylinder maybe placed horizontally or at any desired inclination, also that the timein which the materials to be treated are brought into contact with theheated surface may be precisely regulated, and that the heat produced inthe furnace may be either uniformly distributed over the surface of thelining or may be concentrated at a given point, or the surface of thegraphite lining may be uniformly heated and at the same time an intenseheat produced centrally of a given point within the cylinder.

In the treatment of some materials I shall prefer to employ the electricarc drawn to the desired length and occupying the most advantageouspoint in the cylinder a for the treatment of the material in hand, Whilewith other materials I shall prefer to bring the surface of the axialaperture to incandescence, so as to treat or act upon such materialsduring the passage through the entire length of the cylinder. To bringthe surface of this axial aperture to incandescence, it is desirable andsubstantially essential to first establish the are and then draw thesame the length of the cylinder, meanwhile having the electric currentavailable in the conductors 16 1G, either er both currents then beingavailable to bring and maintain the surface of the axial aperture toincandescence.

I may use either direct or alternate currents, and when the furnace isemployed as a rotary furnace the material being Worked will be agitated,turned over, and thoroughly mixed, so that all parts of said materialwill be exposed throughout to the entire heated surface or to the pointof maximum temperature.

I claim as my in vention- 1. In an electric furnace, the combinationwith nou-rotatable cap ends and supportingbases therefor, of a cylinderAextending between and passing into said cap ends, a lining of asubst-ance of low electrical conductivity within and insulated from saidcylinder, means for producing heat Within the cylinder, and means forconcentrating the heat produced within the cylinder at any given pointthereof, substantially as set forth.

2. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a cylinder extending between andpassing into the said cap ends, a lining of a substance of loWelectrical conductivity within and insulated from said cylinder, andmeans for electrically producing heat Within the said cylinder,substantially as set forth.

3. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a cylinder extending between andpassing into said cap ends, a lining of a substance of low electricalconduc- IOO IIO

tivity within and insulated from said cylinin said lining, and means forconcentrating the said heat at any given point, substantially as setforth.

5. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a cylinder extending between andpassing into the said cap ends, a lining ofgraphite bricks within andinsulated from said cylinder, a layer of asbestos between the bricks andcylinder, means for admitting the substance to be worked into thefurnace, means for drawing off the same, means forproducingaheat withinthe furnace and means for concentrating the said heat at any givenpoint, substantially as set forth.

6. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a cylinder extending between andpassing int-o the said cap ends, a lining of graphite bricks within saidcylinder, a layer of asbestos between the bricks and cylinder, means foradmitting the substance to be worked into the furnace, means for drawingoff the same, and means for producing electrically a uniform temperaturethroughout the inner surface of the graphite lining, substantially asset forth.

7. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a cylinder extending between andpassinginto said cap ends, a graphite lining in said cylinder, a layerof asbestos between said lining and said cylinder, a supply-pipecommunicating with the interior of said cylinder through one of said capends, a discharge-pipe communicating with the interior of said cylinderthrough the other cap end, means for electrically producingan even heatthroughout theV inner surface of said graphite lining7 means forproducing a heat within said cylinder independently of that produced inthe graphite lining, and means for concentrating the heat at any desiredpoint within the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

8. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a cylinder extending between andpassinginto said cap ends, agraphite lining in said cylinder, a layer ofasbestos between said lining and said cylinder, a supply-pipecommunicating with the interior of said cylinder through one of said capends, a discharge-pipe communicating with the interior of said cylinder'through the other cap end, contacts in the respective cap endscontacting with the said graphite lining, electrical connections fromsaid contacts to the source of power, carbons passing through the capends, the said carbons being adjustable so thatthe heat generated by thearc between them may be placed at any given point within the cylinder,and electrical connections from said carbons to the source of power,substantially as set forth.

9. In an electrical furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supporting-bases therefor, of a revoluble cylinder eX- tendingbetween and passing into said cap ends, a graphite lining within saidcylinder, means for revolving said cylinder, and means for producingelectrically a heat within the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

l0. In an electrical furnace, the combination with non-rotatable capends and supporting-bases therefor, of a revoluble cylinder extendingbetween and passing into said cap ends, agraphite lining within saidcylinder, means for revolving said cylinder and means for producing auniform heat in the inner surface of said graphite lining, substantiallyas set forth.

ll. In an electrical furnace, the combination with non-rotatable capends and supporting-bases therefor, of a revoluble cylinder extendingbetween and passing into said cap ends, a graphite lining within saidcylinder, means for revolving said cylinder, means for producing auniform heat in the inner surface of said graphite lining, means forproducing a heat in the cylinder independently Y of the heat generatedin the graphite lining-gram and means for concentrating the last afore,said heat at any given point, substantially as set forth.

12. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a revoluble cylinder, a graphite liningwithin said cylinder, a layer of asbestos between said lining and thecylinder, a supply-pipe communicating with the interior of the cylinderthrough one of said cap ends, a discharge-pipe communicating with theinterior of said cylinder through the other of said cap ends, means forrevolv- IOO ing the said cylinder, means for electrically producing auniform heat in the surface of said graphite lining, and means forproducing and concentrating a high temperature at any given point withinthe cylinder, substantially as set forth.

13. In an electricfurnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a revoluble v cylinder, a graphitelining within said cylinder, a layer of asbestos between said lining andthe cylinder, a supply-pipe communicating with the interior of thecylinder through one of said cap ends, a discharge-pipe communicatingwith the interior of said cylinder through the other of said cap ends, apulley passing around and secured to said cylinder, metallic rings alsopassing around and secured to IIO said cylinder, bearings upon whichsaid rings run, a base supporting said bearings, means for electricallyproducing a uniform heat in the surface of said graphite lining,andmeans for producing and concentrating an intense heat at any givenpoint within the-cylinder,

substantially as set forth.

14. In an electric furnace,-the combination with non-rotatable capends-and supportingbases therefor, of a revoluble cylinder, a graphitelining within said cylinder, a layer of asbestos between said lining andthe cylinder, a supply-pipe communicating with the interior of thecylinder through one of said cap ends, a discharge-pipe communicatingwith the interior of said cylinder through the other of said cap ends, apulley passing around and secured to said cylinder, metallic rings alsopassing around and secured to said cylinder, bearings upon which saidrings run, a base supporting said bearings, contacts within said capends contacting with the said graphite lining, electrical connectionsfrom said contacts to the source of energy, and means for producing andconcentrating an intense heat at any given point within the cylinder,substantially as set forth.

l5. In an electric furnace, the combination with non-rotatable cap endsand supportingbases therefor, of a revoluble cylinder, a graphite liningwithin said cylinder, a layer of asbestos between said lining and thecylinder, a supply-pipe communicating with the interior of the cylinderthrough one of said cap ends, a discharge-pipe communicating with theinterior of said cylinder through the other of said cap ends, a pulleypassing around and secured to said cylinder, metallic rings also passingaround and secured to said cylinder, bearings upon which said rings run,a base supporting said bearings, confacts Within said cap endscontacting with the said graphite lining, electrical connections fromsaid contacts to the source of power, carbons passing through the saidcap ends and adjustable therein, so that the heat produced by the arcbetween the carbons may be concentrated at any given point, andelectrical conductors from said carbons to the source of power,substantially as set forth. Signed by me this 16th day of May, 1902.

JOSEPH M. CARRERE. Witnesses:

GEO. T. PINCKNEY, S. T. IIAVILAND.

